2024 Preview: Wests Tigers

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Andrew Ferguson wraps up our 2024 NRL club preview series with a look at how the Wests Tigers are set to fare after huge upheaval in the off-season.

After back-to-back wooden spoons, their coach departing midway through 2023, handing the reigns over to rookie coach and club legend Benji Marshall, it looked for all money like the club was doing everything possible to somehow be worse in 2024.

But the 2024 off-season has brought about so much positive change that Wests Tigers fans have hope again for the future. The club cleaned out the dismal and deluded CEO Justin Pascoe and Chairman of the board Lee Hagipantelis, two men who had overseen the miserable decline of the club from mid-table underperformers to being the worst team in the NRL.

The club also parted ways with the newly appointed recruitment manager, with whom new coach Marshall did not see eye-to-eye with. They appointed the astute and successful Shane Richardson as the interim boss and things have been on an upwards trajectory ever since.

The Tigers have been very smart with their recruitment and roster management, having already landed the signature of Panthers, Origin and test five-eighth Jarome Luai for 2025. 

While everything is looking up for the Tigers, everyone is aware that 2024 may not see a huge change in the end of the ladder that the Tigers reside in, but everything is pointing towards improvements in 2024.

Why they'll win it

Apart from the surprise factor, the Tigers have a very uniquely talented spine. Two experienced  men in hooker Api Koroisau and halfback Aidan Sezer, while they have two sharp and very promising youngsters at fullback and five-eighth in Jahream Bula and Jayden Sullivan respectively. The Tigers have some good depth building in the spine as well, which augars well for the long term.

Why they won't

Defence. The Tigers defence is disastrous and needs a vast amount of discipline and fortitude if they are going to be serious about turning their fortunes around and start pushing to be a top 8 side. Their last 100 games has seen them concede an absurd 2716.

Player movement

Key players

Aidan Sezer isn't a flashy halfback. But he is a very good organiser and that is something the Tigers have been lacking from their halfback for too long. He will link well with hooker Api Koroisau which should see an immediate improvement in the club's atrocious middle defence, while also allowing set plays in attack to bear more fruit.

Irrespective of how poorly the side performed every week, Api Koroisau was putting in 5-star performances every week, doing all he could to drag this side into every contest. An absolute competitor to his absolute core.

Brilliant fullback Jahream Bula burst onto the scene in 2023 and very nearly claimed the 'Rookie of the Year' honours at the Dally M awards. Just 21 years old and is already brilliant, expect him to grow more comfortable and improve his skills, especially ball playing, as the season progresses.

Rookie watch

18 year-old five-eighth Latu Fainu was snared by the Tigers from Manly and he looks to be a great prospect in the future. He is very quick, while his solid build also means he is capable of being an explosive ball runner as well as a very good ball player. His older brother Samuela joined him in the move from Manly. Both of them played in the NSW Under 19's Origin last year.

Centre Josh Feledy made his NRL debut in the final round of 2023 and is set to get more game time in 2024. The 19 year old is a powerful ball runner and has the potential to be a permanent member of the Tigers back line in years to come.

Five-eighth Lachlan Galvin is also just 18 years old but may well find himself making his debut in 2024. He's already proven he has plenty of potential in the time he's had in the trials this year.

Best 17

1. Jahream Bula
2. Brent Naden
3. Justin Olam
4. Starford To'a
5. Junior Tupou

6. Adam Doueihi
7. Aidan Sezer

8. David Klemmer
9. Api Koroisau
10. Stefano Utoikamanu
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. John Bateman
13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Justin Matamua 15. Jayden Sullivan 16. Fonua Pole 17. Asu Kepaoa

2024 fixture list

All times AET (Sydney local)